Journal or Publishing Institution: Annals of the University of Oradea, Economic Science Series
Date of Publication: 01/01/2008
Author(s): Anghel, G., and Popovici, V.
Article Type: Journal Publication
Abstract:
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) – an extreme controversial issue in the entire world, raise numerous questions concerning the impact on the human health, biodiversity, farmers, legislation, etc. In Romania, country that is dealing now with lots of difficulties on agriculture and environmental protection, especially due to the recent European Union’s accession , the population is poorly informed on the risks, the regulation at national and european level, the reactions and initiatives of the European Communities regarding the cultivation and consumption of GMOs. Genetic modification, also known as “genetic engineering” or “recombinant-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology” was first applied in the 1970’s, being the newest methods to introduce novel traits to micro- organisms, plant as animals. Hence, genetically modified organisms (GMO) have been called all the organisms such as micro-organisms (bacteris, viruses, etc.), plants and animals, the genetic characteristics of which have been modified artificially in order to give them a new property (a plant’s resistance to a disease or insect, improvement of a food’s quality or nutritional value, increased crop productivity, a plant’s tolerance to herbicide, etc.). In 1994, for the first time ever, a genetically modified plant was commercially grown. The introduction of the FlavrSavr tomato in the United States (US) was the beginning of a global change in agriculture. However, when the first harvest of GM soybeans and maize was about to be shipped to Europe in 1996, consumers there voiced an unforeseen opposition to this food. Consumers wanted to know what they were eating and asked for the labelling of GM food. In many countries of the European Union (EU), the introduction of this kind of food onto the market failed, and the major EU food producers and retailers now guarantee a GE-free food supply. Only Spain, and to a very limited extent France and Germany, were growing GE maize in 1997-1999. To date, the EU has approved the deliberate release of 18 GMOs (under Directive 90/220/EEC), but their status is uncertain, given that national bans have been imposed on 8 of these GMOs by 5 different EU countries. Of the 18 GMOs approved in the EU, 10 are agricultural crops and include soybeans, maize and oilseed rape. No GMO has been given authorisation for deliberate release in the EU since October 1998.
Keywords: genetically modified (GM), GMO, genetically modified (GM) soybean, genetically engineered (GE), Roundup Ready soybean, glyphosate tolerant soybean, transgenic crops, organic farming, Romania
Citation:
Anghel, G., and Popovici, V. (2008). Romanian approach to genetically modified organisms. Annals of the University of Oradea, Economic Science Series, 17(1), pp. 183.
Category:
- Environmental effects
- Regulatory issues
Record ID: 64
